Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
