Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
