The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
