The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
