President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
