Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
