Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
