Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
