Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
