Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
