Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
