President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
