President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
