President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
