Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group 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.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
