President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
