The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
