Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
