Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
