President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
