The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
