President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
