The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
