President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
