Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
