President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part 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 weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
