Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
