Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
