President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
