President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
