The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.