The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
