The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
