President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
