President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
