The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
