President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
