President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous military action against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
