Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
