Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
