President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
