The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
