Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
