Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
