Gustavo Petro Issues Warning To Trump Over Criticism Of Criticism of Colombia: 'Attacking Our Sovereignty Is Declaring War'

"I hear Colombia, the country of Colombia is making cocaine," Trump said. "They have cocaine manufacturing plants, okay? And then they sell us their cocaine, he added. "Anybody that's doing that and selling it into our country is subject to attack ... not just Venezuela."

Petro reacted to a video of the comment with a social media publication, claiming that his government has managed to destroy "18,400 (drug) labs" without missile strikes. "Come with me, I'll show you how they're destroyed. One lab every 40 minutes. But don't threaten our sovereignty because you'll wake up the jaguar. Attacking our sovereignty is declaring war, don't damage two centuries of diplomatic relations," Petro said.

"You have already slandered me, don't continue that way. If a country has helped you stop thousands of tons of cocaine so Americans don't consume them is Colombia," he added.

Petro has rejected being involved in drug-trafficking, an argument given by the Trump administration to sanction him, claiming that Trump is being shown a "backward narrative."

Speaking to CNN in late November, Petro said he is heavily involved in fighting drug trafficking but his "strategy is different" because he wants "less violence in Colombia."

"I don't attack the rural population because it could spark a new war. I try to get young people out of the conflict," he added.

Petro went on to say that the "reality" he discusses "doesn't reach Trump," and he is shown to his U.S. counterpart "as a drug lord when I have risked my life."