President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
