President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
