Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
