President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
