The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
