Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
