President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
