Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
