President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
