Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
