Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
