Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
