President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
