The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
