Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
