The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
