The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
