The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
