Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
