Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
