The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
