Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
