The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed 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 bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
