Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela 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 Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
