Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," 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 but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
