The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
