Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
