President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
