Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
