Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains 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 business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
