The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
