President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
