Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.