President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
