The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
