The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
