President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
