The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
