The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
