The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
