President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
