Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen 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 demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
