President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
