President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
