Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
