The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
