President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
