President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.