Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
