President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
