The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
