President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
