The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.