The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
