President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
