Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy 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), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
