President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
