President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
