Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
