President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
