Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
