Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
