Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
