President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
