President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
