Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
