Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
