Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested similar military action against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
