The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
