The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
