The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
