The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail 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 political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
