President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
