President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
