President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
