Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
