President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
