Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
