President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
