The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
