The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
