The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
