Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
