President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
