The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
