The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
