The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
