President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
