The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. 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 before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
