Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
