The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
