Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
