President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
