President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
