The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
