President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
