The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
