The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
