President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
