The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
