Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
