The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
