The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
