President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
