President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
