Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
