President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
