The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
