Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
