The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
