President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security 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 expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
