The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
