President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
