Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
