The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
