Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
