Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
