Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
