President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
