President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
