The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
