The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
