Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
