President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
