President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
