Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
