The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
