President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
