The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
