President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
