The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions 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 subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
