Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
