President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
