Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
