President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
