Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
