Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
