The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
