The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
