The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
