President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
