Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
