The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
