President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
