Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
