President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
