The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
