The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
