Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed 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 president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
