The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
