Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
