The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
