The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
