Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
