The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
