The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
