President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
