President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
