The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
