President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela 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 Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
