The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar military action against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part 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 nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
