Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
