President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
