The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
