President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
