President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
