Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
