The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
