President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
