President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
