President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
