Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
