President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
