President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"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 Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
