The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
