Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
