Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
