Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
