Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
