President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
