The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
