The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
