President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
