Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
