The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
