President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
