Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
