Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
