Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
