Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
