The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
