The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
