The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
