The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
