Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
