The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
