The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
