The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
