President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
