The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
