The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
