President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
