President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
