Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
