Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
