President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
