Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
