Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
