President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
