The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
