Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
