Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations 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 Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
