President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
