The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed 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 targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
