The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
