The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
