President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
