President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
