President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
