The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
