Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
