President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
