President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
