The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
