President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
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