The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding 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 in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
