President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
