President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
