President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
