Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
