The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
