Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
