Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
