The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
