Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
