Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
