The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
