The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
