Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
