The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
