President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela 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 Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
