The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
