The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
