The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
