President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
