President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
