Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
