The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
