The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
