Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
