Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
