The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
