Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
