President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
