The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
