The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
