President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
