The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
