The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
