The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
