Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
