Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
