President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
