The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar military action against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
