The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
