Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
