President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
