The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
