The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
