The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting 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.
