The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
