The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
