President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
