Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
