Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
