President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
