President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
