The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
