Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
