The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
