Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
