President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating 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 the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
