President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
