The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
