Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
