President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
