Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
