President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
