The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
