President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
