The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
