The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
