President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
