Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
