Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
