The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
