President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.