The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
