The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
