The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
