President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
