Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
