President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
