Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
