President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
