President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
