President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
