The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
