The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
