The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
