The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
