Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
