President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
