President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
