President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's 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 laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
