Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
