President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
