President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
