The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
