President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
