President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
