The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
