Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
