The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
