The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
