The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including 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 historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
