Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
