The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
