The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new 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 the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
