The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
