The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
