President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
