The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
