The White House said, this Thursday, October 23, that he sees no signs of de-escalation in tensions with Colombia by the Government of “deranged” President Gustavo Petroto which the American president, Donald Trumpaccused of being “a drug trafficking leader“.
Asked what steps the Colombian Government could take to improve the tense bilateral situation, the Trump Administration spokesperson Karoline Leavittresponded: “I don’t think we’re seeing a de-escalation from Colombia’s deranged leader right now.“.
(Further: Colombian defeat: WTO once again favored the EU in dispute over potato tariffs).
“Frankly, I don’t think the president (Trump) cares about that right now.“Leavitt added during a press conference at the US executive residence.
White House
A day earlier, Trump had described Petro as “bully and bad guy” that “manufactures many drugs“. In a conversation with reporters in the Oval Office he added that the Colombian president “He has done a lot of damage to his country“.
(Besides: ‘What happens if they take away our aid?’: Petro minimizes withdrawal of resources from the US).
The Republican’s statements coincide with the announcement of attacks by the US Army on two boats that were apparently loaded with drugs in the Pacificat least one of them near the coast of Colombia, in an expansion of its military operations against drug trafficking.
President Gustavo Petro
Both countries are going through a new diplomatic crisis after the Republican president announced last Sunday the end of financial aid to the South American country for his alleged inaction in the fight against drug trafficking and accused his Colombian counterpart of being a drug kingpin.
(Further: Petro accuses the US of ‘extrajudicial executions’ in international waters).
Petro, who has redoubled his criticism of Trump, has denied the accusations and described the American as “rude and ignorant with Colombia“.
EFE
