President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
