The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
