Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization after he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
