President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
