The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
