The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
