Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
