The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, 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 landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
