The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
