Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
