The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
