President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela 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 Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
