President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
