The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
