The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.