Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
