President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
