The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
