The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
