President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
