President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
