The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.