President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
