Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
