Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
