The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
