Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
