President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
