Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling 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 directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
