Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
