The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
