The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
