President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
