The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
