President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
