The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
