The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
