The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
