Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
