Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
