Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
