The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
