The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
