President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
