Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
