Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.