Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions 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 bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
