Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
