The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
