President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
