Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
