President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
