The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
