President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
