The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
