Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
