President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
