Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
