President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
