Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
