Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
