The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
