The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
