President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
