The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
