President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
