The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "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, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
