President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
