President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
