Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
