The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
