Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
