The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
