President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
