President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
