President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
