President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
