Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
