President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
