Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
