President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
