Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
