The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
