The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding 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, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
