President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
