The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
