President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
