President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
