The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
