The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
