President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
