Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
