The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
