Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
