The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
