Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
