The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
