President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
