President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
