President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
