President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
