Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
