The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
