Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
