The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
