Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
