Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
