Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
