President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
