The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
