President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
