President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
