The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
