Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
