Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
