President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
