Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform 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 provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
