The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
