Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
