President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that 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 and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
