President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
