President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
