The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
