Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
