President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
