The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
