Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
