The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
