President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
