The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
