Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
