The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
