The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
